Hives at Tocal Agricultural College have been euthanised as part of the all-of-industry response to the recent varroa mite outbreak.
The bees, which were part of national honey bee genetics program 'Plan Bee', fell under a NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) eradication zone.
However, as part of the National Varroa Mite Response Plan, a number of queen bees were able to be removed and re-homed.
This was allowed under a permit system put in place for commercial breeders, to ensure queens with high-value genetics are banked for future breeding and research.
Whilst disappointed to lose the population, the DPI has said the breeding program will continue, thanks to its national wingspan.
The Department is now calling on local breeders to support the program by collecting and submitting data on their own genetic lines.
